Independent Communications Committee
Mr Chris Jordan AO
Commissioner of Taxation
Australian Taxation Office
GPO Box 9990
CANBERRA ACT 2601
Dear Mr Jordan
COMPLIANCE ADVICE ON THE PROPOSED
GST VOLUNTARY COMPLIANCE CAMPAIGN (2015-16)
The Independent Communications Committee (the Committee) considers proposed
advertising campaigns with expenditure expected to be $250,000 or more, and provides
independent advice to the relevant Chief Executive.
On 3 June 2015, the Committee considered the GST Voluntary Compliance Campaign
( 2015-16) being developed by your entity. As part of its consideration of this campaign, the
Committee met with officers from your entity, and reviewed the following supporting
documentation:
1.
2.
3.
4.
communication strategy
campaign tracking/evaluation research
draft media strategy and indicative media plan overview
a statement against Principles 1 to 4 of the Guidelines on Information and Advertising
Campaigns by non-corporate Commonwealth entities (Guidelines).
The Committee is satisfied that the campaign is relevant to government responsibilities
(Principle 1), and that the campaign is being developed in line with Principles 2 – 4 of the
Guidelines. The Committee’s view has been formed at the communication strategy stage, and
it has not considered the advertising materials. For this reason, the Committee has concluded
that the proposed GST Voluntary Compliance Campaign (2015-16) is capable of complying
with Principles 1 to 4 of the Guidelines.
As legal and procurement matters relating to the campaign are not considered by this
Committee, you will need to seek advice and assurance from your entity with respect to
compliance with Principle 5 of the Guidelines.
This letter will be published on the Department of Finance website after the campaign is
launched.
Any additional phases of the campaign will require separate consideration by the Committee.
Yours sincerely
Greg Williams
Chair
Independent Communications Committee
June 2015